Reading an image

 1) Analyse this RBK 50 Cent advert using the media codes you learned in the lesson: Technical, Written or verbal, Symbolic or non-verbal, Narrative. Write a paragraph for each one exploring the way meanings are created using those media codes.

The technical codes used in the RBK 50 Cent advert iscamerawork where the audience are given a split screen between 50 Cents close up of his grim expression and a picture of his fingerprints to reinforce the idea of his past criminal activities. The advert is generally dramatic through its choice of a dark background and the lightingthat directly hits 50 Cents face to highlight his importance in representing Rebook. The editing used for the split screen may be purposely situated to create a dynamic difference between his past and present  and how he may want to compare how much he has changed. The writing is also placed on the right side of the advert trying to not block 50 Cents face and his identity.

The written and verbal codes used can be seen through the language where 50 Cents quote has been placed for viewers to read and to interact with. A slogan is also imbedded into this advert where the "I am" half of this slogan is placed purposely on 50 Cents side whilst the "what I am" is placed with the fingerprints. This can clearly reinforce how he is not trying to avoid his past but instead accept his actions as it makes up him as a person in society. The 

In this poster, there is a woman that has her emotions and thoughts on her face. The camera work used here is a close up shot. A close up shot was used to show the audience that if you keep your emotions and overthinking bottled up then it will have an impact on your mental health. The lighting used in this poster is very dull and dark in the background. The lighting focuses on the person's face; this is used to show the negative effect mental health can have on someone. It also shows her facial expressions, which looks like she's in a low mood and she's upset. The editing used was the different emotions and thoughts on the person's face. This shows the audience that you should share your feelings with someone you trust.

Written/verbal codes:

The anchorage text used in this poster is 'Share it. Don't wear it.'. This means that you should open up and share your emotions with someone and seek for help instead of keeping it to yourself as it can have negative impacts on your mental health. The phrase 'Don't wear it' means when it is obvious and you openly share your feelings or emotions rather than hidden. This may cause a misunderstanding to some audience as the whole point is to tell someone about your feelings, not keeping them to yourself, however not openly tell everyone as it may make you feel uncomfortable. It is placed on the bottom centre of the poster. It can still be viewed by the audience but the main focus is the person. The font is in capital letters to portray the importance of telling someone instead of keeping it to yourself. The text written are command words, and are directly telling the audience to share their feelings with another person, to show that it can benefit the person's overthinking and let them feel relieved when letting their emotions out instead of not speaking at all. The little text at the very bottom gives a reminder to the audience that they are not alone and they should speak up. A website is given for people to talk to professionals that can give advice to overcome their struggles.

Symbolic/non verbal codes:

A woman is shown in the image, meaning that the target audience could be for adults struggling with mental health issues. The woman's facial expressions seems as if she's in a low mood and feels nervous and depressed. This shows that mental health can decrease happiness and enjoyment and can make you very unhappy and shows the audience that keeping emotions to yourself can lead to those complications and may trigger other mental health problems. The actor placement is in the centre as it is the main focus is on the woman struggling with her emotions. The setting looks like it's a dark and lonely place, and seems like the woman is isolating herself in a dark room. People that struggle with mental health problems tend to do this to shut off from everyone else and  uses it as a coping mechanism however it can impact you to maintain social connections with one another. 

Narrative codes:

Both enigma and action codes are used. Enigma code is used as the audience may question what help they can seek after they share their problems and how it will help them. Action code is used to show that if a person ,like the woman in the poster, keeps there emotions to themselves it would have a detrimental impact to their mental health, so they should speak to someone about it.